2176                                   JOINT RESOLUTIONS

Governor's Office for the Coordination of Services to the
Handicapped, the Secretary of General Services, the
Secretary of Budget and Fiscal Planning, and the Secretary
of State Planning.

Signed May 1, 1979.

No. 24

(House Joint Resolution Ho. 24)

A House Joint Resolution concerning

"Gasahol" Study Commission

FOR the purpose of requesting the Secretary of Agriculture
to appoint a study commission to investigate the
feasability of utilizing "Gasahol" as an alternative
fuel supply; reporting the findings of the Commission
to the Governor by a certain date.

WHEREAS. The citizens of Maryland can anticipate higher
gasoline prices coupled with uncertain gasoline supply
levels in the near future; and

WHEREAS, To cope with the anticipated high cost and
shortfall in supply of gasoline, alternative fuels are
desirable and necessary; and

WHEREAS, A mixture of ethanol and gasoline, popularly
called "Gasahol," is currently being studied for use as an
alternative fuel for internal combustion engines by the
Federal Energy Research and Development Administration; and
by the states of California, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota,
North Dakota, Virginia, and Washington; and

WHEREAS, Ethanol can be distilled from grain and plant
root products which are in abundent supply in Haryland; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That this
Body request the Secretary of Agriculture to appoint a
"Gasahol" Study Commission to investigate and review the
feasibility of utilizing our grain industry to provide
additional energy supplies through the use of Gasahol; and
to report the findings to the Governor by January 1, 1980;
and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the
Honorable Wayne Cawley, Secretary of Agriculture, Parole
Plaza Office Building, Annapolis, Maryland 21401.

Signed May 1, 1979.